Case Number 25707

SAVING HOPE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

The Charge

"This is how it happens. You leave it all behind. Everything you love.
Everything you know. You belong to the hospital now. And all you can do is
hope."

Opening Statement

Joining the ranks of the myriad of medical dramas populating the television
landscape, Saving Hope: The Complete First Season offers a twist on the
usual formula in the form of a spirit on the show. But although NBC cancelled it
after its first season it was picked up in Canada so this is not the end.

Facts of the Case

On the eve of their wedding Dr. Charlie Harris (Michael Shanks, Stargate
SG-1) and Dr. Alex Reid (Erica Durance, Smallville) are in an
accident which leaves Charlie in a coma. He spends the thirteen episodes of
Saving Hope: The Complete First Season as a spirit wandering around Hope
Zion Hospital where they both work.

The problem however is turning this show into an ensemble dilutes what makes
it special, and that is focusing on the relationship between two people on
either side of a coma. Further mucking up the works is the sort of generic
nature of the other characters; at least I found them to be doppelgangers of
Grey's Anatomy. Goran is the McSteamy of the show, Shahir is early
Christina, Maggie is Lexie and Gavin is George.

The medical cases explored are interesting but never more so than when they
tie back in to the overall arc of Charlie trying to get back to Alex or Alex
trying to understand something about Charlie. And unfortunately Saving Hope:
The Complete First Season sometimes meanders off course, bringing the
peripheral characters in for spotlights which don't always feel deserved or
which fail to bring an emotional payoff. I connected to Alex and Charlie and
when the other characters weren't supporting them I found my attention
wandering. There simply wasn't enough time during these first thirteen episodes
to make me care about every single character and it felt at times as though I
was being force-fed their presence.

Saving Hope: The Complete First Season takes place over three months
of time within their world and I thought it was paced well, filled with a lot of
little touches to help emphasize how Alex's life changed when Charlie entered
the coma as well as little moments from Charlie which emphasized his happiness
at being close to Alex. It was a very deliberate choice and I felt it
worked.

I thought Durance and Shanks were extremely well cast for their parts, with
a genuine chemistry. The season finale left me anxious to see where the show was
going, as it ended in a place not explored by any other medical drama I could
think of and that's saying something.

I am at a loss about recommending Saving Hope: The Complete First
Season. I won't be able to get the second season for a while yet and that's
assuming the Canadians release it on video. I would be disappointed to learn
where we left off was not in fact where we picked up, a real concern since the
show was taken to Canada. I enjoyed the first season but mostly because it set
up a really interesting premise to follow next season.

If you hate lens flares you will hate Saving Hope: The Complete First
Season. There are a lot of lens flares. Like enough to make JJ Abrams feel
jealous. That's the only quibble I have with the video feed. Otherwise it's the
same cool, slightly desaturated palette you see on most currently broadcasting
shows. There're a couple of audio tracks and the Dolby 5.1 is more than enough
to cover the needs of this set.

The special features are a short BTS featurette as well as longer interviews
with Durance, Gillies and Shanks.

Closing Statement

Saving Hope has been given new life by the Canadians, for whom the
show was the highest rated summer program in 2012. So while there may be a
search you will (hopefully) be able find it if this show appeals to you. I'm
going to say hold off on purchasing until you can be assured of obtaining the
future season(s). The first season ends in a place where you'll be frustrated if
you don't know whether or not you'll see the continuation.